Belt with ratcheting buckling system

ABSTRACT

A belt with a ratcheting buckle for use in utility and climbing belts. The ratcheting buckle, a type of thread fastener, is attached to a first belt that may or may not be attached to a second belt. The first or second belt may be webbed or rope like and may be made of leather, nylon, or any other fabric that is flexible and durable. The ratchet buckle may be made of a polymer, metal, or any other material that is strong and durable while the belt itself may be made of a neoprene or padded material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The embodiments of the invention are generally in the technical field of utility belts. More particularly, the embodiments pertain to a waist-encompassing utility belt that include a ratcheting binding that improves the closing, adjusting, and releasing of said belt.

2. Description of Related Art

The use of ratchet buckling systems is known and prevalent in the snowboard binding field where they have evolved as the binding of choice due to an ability to bind quickly and securely in diverse situations, such as when full of snow, and still perform satisfactorily. Ratcheting buckling systems are not currently used for other purposes with the exception of roller blades, bike racks, and ice skates.

Currently, utility belts are closed with a buckle or clasp such as: a conventional belt buckle, a slide release buckle, a blimp buckle, or a simple clasp that snaps together. Currently no utility belts use ratchet type buckling systems. Ratchet fasteners are the most complex type of threading fastener, and offer advantages in taking up slack and adjusting tension. The ratchet mechanism functions similarly to a socket wrench; you open and close the fastener repeatedly to pull the webbing through the fastener. Releasing the tension is a simple matter of depressing the release lever and pulling the webbing, also called a strap, or a laddered strap, back through the fastener. The complexity of the ratcheting mechanism further allows for fine adjustment in tension, unlike the large increments found on standard buckles. This provides for improved comfort for the user who must carry tools, ropes, and other equipment for sustained periods of time. In addition, the complex nature of such a mechanism offers a more secure and heavy-duty way to fasten and support a utility belt.

Utility belts are also made of durable leather or thick fabric that becomes uncomfortable when weight is suspended from the belt. A padded belt would dramatically improve user comfort.

SUMMARY

The scope of the embodiments are defined solely by the appended claims and detailed description of a preferred embodiment, and is not affected to any degree by the statements within this summary. Generally the embodiments describe a waist-encompassing belt comprising the complementary elements of a ratcheting buckling system which, when buckled, form a longitudinally adjustable closed loop. The belt may also comprise a closure assembly that may be a ratcheting buckle, wherein the ratcheting buckle is attached to at least a first belt. The first belt may also be attached to one or more additional belts. The first belt and any additional belts may also be jointly attached to the ratcheting buckle. In another embodiment, a ratcheting buckling system is attached to a belt that is webbed wherein the webbed belt may be further attached to a utility belt. In yet another embodiment, a ratcheting buckling system is attached to a neoprene, or other padded material, belt that is further attached to a utility belt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, and other, aspects, features, and advantages of several embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following Detailed Description as presented in conjunction with the following several figures of the Drawing.

1. Figures

FIG. 1 (Sheet 1) illustrates a side view of an open utility belt system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 (Sheet 1) illustrates a side view of an open utility belt system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 (Sheet 2) illustrates a perspective view of a closed utility belt system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 (Sheet 2) illustrates a perspective view of a closed utility belt system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 (Sheet 3) illustrates a perspective view of a ratchet buckling system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 (Sheet 3) illustrates a perspective view of a ratchet buckling system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several figures of the Drawings. Elements in the several figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures can be emphasized relative to other elements for facilitating understanding of the various presently disclosed embodiments. Also, common, but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.

2. References

-   36 First Ratchet Buckling System -   38 Second Ratchet Buckling System -   40 Second Holster -   42 Second Pouch -   44 First Holster -   46 First Pouch -   48 First Loop -   50 Utility Belt -   52 Lever -   54 Locking Element Base -   56 Release Handle -   58 Pawl Engagement Tooth -   60 Ladder Strip -   62 Serrated Teeth -   64 Casing -   66 First Pivot Hole -   68 Second Pivot Hole -   70 Engagement Strap -   72 Sliding Groove -   74 Spring -   76 Locking Plate -   78 Fine Adjustment Handle -   80 Ratchet Bucket -   82 Impediment

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of exemplary embodiments, many additional embodiments of this invention are possible. It is understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. The scope of the disclosure should be determined with reference to the Claims. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic that is described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Further, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the present disclosure can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the Detailed Description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the embodiments of the present disclosure can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the present disclosure. Any alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices, and such further application of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read (e.g., arrangement of parts, proportion, degree, etc.) together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description of this invention. As used in the following description, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, “up” and “down”, as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”, etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader. Similarly, the terms “inwardly” and “outwardly” generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate. Also, as used herein, terms such as “positioned on” or “supported on” mean positioned or supported on but not necessarily in direct contact with the surface.

The phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together. The terms “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” can be used interchangeably.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same.

Generally, a utility belt with a ratcheting buckle with a binding similar to what is used on a ski board or snowboard is disclosed. The belt may also comprise a climbing belt, a utility belt, a work belt, or a safety belt such as commonly used in carpentry and may include attachments specific to its desired use. In a preferred embodiment, the ratcheting buckle system may be comprised of such metal or hard plastic attachments, clamps, and holders as are commonly used on snowboard bindings and ski boots.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, an open utility belt is shown with a ladder strip 60 extending from one end of the utility belt 50, and the ratchet buckle 80 attached to the opposite end of the utility belt 50. The ladder strip can be any narrow piece, comparatively long, and having serrated teeth along at least a portion of its length. Serrated teeth are defined as a notches wherein several notches project, and resemble or suggest teeth. The utility belt can be any strip of flexible material worn around the waist that supports much of the weight of the overlying parts that it carries. The ratchet buckle 80 is a device wherein a tooth is engaged by a pawl to control motion by degrees, for and used to fasten at least two parts to one another.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the open utility belt of FIG. 1 is further depicted with included elements such as a first pouch 46, a loop 48, and a first pocket 44. A pouch and pocket can be any structure resembling a bag or container for storing or transporting items. A loop is a ring or curved piece used to form a handle or catch.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, a closed utility belt is disclosed, including a first ratchet buckling system 36 and variety of possible added elements such as a first pouch 46, a second pouch 42, a first pocket 44, a second pocket 40, and a loop 48. A ratchet buckle is something that closes and shuts, and includes a ladder strip, which is a narrow piece comparatively long and having serrated teeth along at least a portion of its length. The serrated teeth can be any notching wherein several notches project resembling or suggesting teeth; and a ratchet buckle, which is a device wherein a tooth is engaged by a pawl to control motion by degrees for and used to fasten at least two parts to one another. The first ratchet buckling system 36 includes a ladder strip 60, a release handle 56, and a pawl engagement tooth 58.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a closed utility belt is disclosed, including a second ratchet buckling system 38, a variety of possible added elements such as; a first pouch 46, a second pouch 42, a first pocket 44 a second pocket 40, and a loop 48. The second ratchet buckling system 38 includes a latter strip 60, a locking plate 76, and a fine adjustment handle 78. The fine adjustment handle can be any part that is grasped, seized, or held for regulation in consistent and minute amounts.

FIGS. 3 and 4 differ in that they display two different ratchet buckles. These are only examples, and do not serve to limit the scope of the claims, in other words, any type or variation of a ratchet buckle can be used.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the first ratchet buckling system 36 of FIG. 3 is further made up of a system of parts. The first ratchet buckling system 36 includes a ladder strip 60 that slides into an opening in the release handle 56 referred to this disclosure as a sliding groove 72. The latter strip 60 can slide into the opening in the release handle 56 until it reaches an impediment 82. The ratchet buckle 80 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes a release handle 56, and a pawl engagement tooth 58. The release handle 56 includes a lever 52 that when lifted up allows the pawl engagement tooth 58 to lift from the serrated teeth 62 of the ladder strip so that the ladder strip 60 can slide along its length through the sliding groove 72, and into the ratchet buckle 80. Once sizing placement has been chosen by a user, the pawl engagement tooth 58 catches on a tooth 62 on the ladder strip 60 as the lever 52 is clamped down against the base of the locking element 54. An engagement strap 70 can be any narrow piece, comparatively long, that is intended to occupy, interlock, or be secured for use. A sliding groove 72 can be any cut, indention, or channel in a part or area that allows for another part or area to slip easily, or unobtrusively on, or through as if on a tract, or guide rail. A release handle 56 can be any part of a thing made specifically to be grasped or held by a hand or finger, and to free from confinement, anything the restrains or fastens. A lever 52 can be any rigid bar that pivots about one point, and is used to move an object at a second point by a force applied at a third. A pawl engagement tooth 58 can be any pivot bar adapted to engage, occupy, interlock or be secured for use with the teeth-like projections of a ratchet, or the like, so as to prevent movement or to impart motion. Serrated teeth 62 are several notches that project, resemble, or suggest teeth. A locking element or locking base 54 can be any element that fastens or secures by the operation of shutting in place a thing against the bottom support on which the thing stands or rests.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the second ratchet buckling system 38 of FIG. 4 is further made up of a system of parts. The second ratchet buckling system 38 comprises a ladder strip 60 that slides into an opening in the release handle referred to in this disclosure as a sliding groove 72, and along the casing 64 that encasing the many parts of the ratchet buckle 80. The ratchet buckle 80 illustrated in FIG. 5, includes a fine adjustment handle 78, and a locking plate 76 which further includes a spring 74 that when engaged, allows for the locking plate to either release, allowing for the ladder strip of the engagement strap to slide along its length in order for the closure to open entirely, or to readjust over the length of the utility belt 50. Once a user has chosen sizing placement, the locking plate 76 is simply not released, the spring 74 remains in resting position, and together with the locking plate 76, the ladder strip 60 is then locked into place. Once sizing placement has been chosen by a user, the pawl engagement tooth 58 catches on a tooth 62 on the ladder strip 60 as the lever 52 is clamped down against the base of the locking element 54. A spring is can be any mechanical device used to store energy due to resilience, and subsequently release it to absorb shock or maintain a force between contacting surfaces.

The ratchet buckling systems of 36 and 38 may include a locking plate 76 or a mechanism that engages the teeth of a ladder strip 60, an unlocking mechanism wherein the locking plate 76 is disengaged from the teeth 62 of the ladder strip 60 for enabling the engagement strip 70 to be removed from the casing 64, a fine adjustable handle 78 adapted to be adjusted by hand to move the strip forward after engagement has begun, and the engagement strip 70 has been locked by the locking plate 76. A locking plate can be any a mechanism having a notched rim that engages with another mechanism permitting it to pass through a specific area. A casing can be any covering or housing or any frame or framework. The casing can include pivot holes such as the first and second pivot holes 66 and 68 illustrated in FIG. 6. A pivot hole can be any opening or cavern that houses a pin or shaft wherein mechanical parts turn. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate ratchet fasteners, a known type of thread fastener. Such assemblies are known types of thread fasteners. First and second ratchet buckling systems 36 and 38 serve as just two of many assembly possibilities.

Those who know prior innovations in the field of thread fasteners, know that there are many possible combinations of parts, ways wherein the parts can be arranged together, and names for which various parts can be called. For examples, the release handle 56 and fine adjustment handle 78 can be interchangeably used. Also, the pawl engagement tooth 58 and locking plate 76 also can be interchangeable as there are many ways wherein a ratchet buckle 80 and ladder strip 60 can be engaged.

In another embodiment, the ratcheting closure is attached to what might be best described as a climbing belt, which is essentially a webbing type belt preferably a nylon webbing though there is no limit as to the material used, a rope serves as one of many alternative examples. The webbing type belt can also be attached to any utility belt. In another embodiment the utility belt may be made of a neoprene, or other padded material; and in another embodiment the belt can be connected to a back-pack.

Information as herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the above-described object of the present disclosure, the presently preferred embodiment of the present disclosure; and is, thus, representative of the subject matter; which is broadly contemplated by the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure fully encompasses other embodiments which can become obvious to those skilled in the art, and is to be limited, accordingly, by nothing other than the appended claims, wherein any reference to an element being made in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment and additional embodiments as regarded by those of ordinary skill in the art are hereby expressly incorporated by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims.

Moreover, no requirement exists for a system or method to address each and every problem sought to be resolved by the present disclosure, for such to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. However, that various changes and modifications in form, material, work-piece, and fabrication material detail can be made, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as set forth in the appended claims, as can be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, are also encompassed by the present disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A belt comprising; the complimentary elements of a ratcheting buckling system on its distal ends.
 2. The belt of claim 1, further comprising padding.
 3. The belt of claim 2, wherein said padding is neoprene.
 4. The belt of claim 1, further comprising a pouch.
 5. The belt of claim 1, further comprising a loop.
 6. The belt of claim 1, further comprising a holster.
 7. The belt of claim 1, wherein said belt is a utility belt.
 8. The belt of claim 1, wherein said belt is a climbing harness.
 9. The belt of claim 1, wherein said belt is attached to a second belt.
 10. The belt of claim 1, wherein said belt is webbed.
 11. The belt of claim 1, wherein said belt is attached to a back-pack.
 12. A utility belt comprising; the complimentary elements of a ratcheting buckling system on its distal ends; padding material; a loop; a pouch.
 13. The utility belt of claim 12, wherein said padding is neoprene.
 14. The utility belt of claim 12, further comprising a holster.
 15. The utility belt of claim 12, wherein said belt is attached to a second belt.
 16. The utility belt of claim 12, wherein said belt is webbed.
 17. The belt of claim 12, wherein said belt is attached to a back-pack. 